We have developed a booklet for people who are training to become teachers to give advice and guidance on children's communication skills. Let's Talk About It includes information on:
• The importance of communication
• The impact that speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) can have for children and young people on learning and attainment, and on social, emotional development and behaviour
• How teachers can better identify children with SLCN and through making communication a priority, work more affectively with all children in their classroom
• Signposts trainees to a range of further information sources

This excellent resource makes this complex area of language development accessible to non-specialist staff. fAll those working in the field will appreciate the clear explanations and practical support and advice for those working and living with children at the pre-intentional and intentional stages of communication as far as beginning to use first words. The book explores a wide range of issues concerning children who have little or no means of expressing themselves verbally.
Language Builders for Complex Needs provides ideas for assessment and recording progress as well as detailed advice and practical activities. It is written for speech and language therapists, teachers, teaching assistants, pre-school practitioners and parents.
The book examines the characteristic communication skills, the interaction required and the thinking and play skills that need nurturing at each of the following stages:
Pre-Intentional Communication.
Being able to anticipate events.
Intentional Communication.
It also considers:
The link between play and language.
Total Communication – signs, symbols, Communication Passports, and briefly, Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Using first words, ideas and phrases.

Communication Builders for AAC provides comprehensive information about the assessment and use of the whole range of AAC options. Andrea Kirton, co-author, is a highly specialist speech and language therapist but she writes this book in a style which makes this important information accessible to education practitioners, parents, carers, SLTs. It is the core reading material for the accredited course Supporting Adults and Children using AAC.
It’s a one-stop-shop to AAC!
Contents:
Chapter 1: What is AAC (Alternative and Augmentative Communication)?
Why use AAC?
What Does AAC Include?
Access Methods
The AAC Team
Chapter 2: Assessment
Who might benefit from AAC?
Cause and effect skills
Social Communication Skills
Symbolic Understanding
Understanding of Spoken Language
The expressive-receptive gap
Visual SkillsAccess Method
Tools for Assessment
AAC Profile and Action Plan
Definition of Communicative Competence for AAC users (Janice Light, 1989)
Social Networks (Sarah Blackstone and Mary Hunt Berg, 2003)
Means, Reasons and Opportunities (Della Money and Sue Thurman, 1994)
Chapter 3: Unaided Communication
What is Unaided Communication?
Assessing Unaided Methods of Communication
Observation Schedule for assessing Unaided Communication Methods
Developing Unaided Communication Skills
Chapter 4: Low Tech Communication Aids
Types of Low Tech AAC systems
Aspects of Assessment for Low Tech AAC
Access
Vocabulary/Language
Social Use
Design Issues
The Next Step – Activities to support and develop use of the Low Tech AAC system
Cause and effect with people (Communicative Intent)
Requesting item/indicating choice
Participation in a social activity
General Conversation
Chapter 5: High Tech Communication aids
Types of High Tech Communication Systems
Assessment for a High Tech System
Access
Vocabulary/Language
Social Use
Design Issues
The Next Step - Activities to support and develop use of the High Tech AAC system
Linguistic Skills
Social Skills